Father Estopped from Denying Paternity

Before a party can be estopped from denying paternity the court must be convinced applying equitable estoppel is in the best interest of the child.  Here the child was eight years old, knew the respondent as her father, with his encouragement, and relied on respondent to be her father.  Family Court’s finding the respondent was equitably estopped from asserting nonpaternity was correct.  Commissioner of Social Services vs. Julio, J., No. 57, SSM 44, CtApp, 1-10-13